Study Finds Mix-Breeds Smarter than Pure-breeds

Oldmaidcatwoman
3 years ago

Yeah! The mutts win one! I think mutts are more beautiful than many of their purebred cousins too!

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Sheryl J.
4 years ago

Mutts rule, so glad to see them getting some recognition. Most of us have known since we were children that dog's are smart, and mutts are the best. No need to buy a dog, you can adopt a smart new best friend right at a shelter!

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Tina R.
4 years ago

I have known this since i was little! Mutts are the best.

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Crttrs
4 years ago

I believe this as I think purebreeds are so interbred which causes a number of issues. Hurray for Mutts, I wouldn't want any other

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jane w.
4 years ago

Good for the mutts!!! They are better in so many ways.

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mike h.
4 years ago

We have always had mutts and thought they were smart!

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Zephyr47
4 years ago

Although there are some wonderful purebreds, I love mutts. They have such a uniqueness. The fact that they are smart, as well, is no surprise!

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Melanie
4 years ago

Doesn't surprise me...I don't think you can or should judge a dog's intelligence just on if it's a purebreed.

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conni F.
4 years ago

I know that my mixed breed cats are much smarter & nicer than my purebred ever was.

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J O.
4 years ago

Wow. I always wondered why police units spend big bucks on imported German Shpeherds when there is a possible mutt that could do a great job. But I suppose the purebreds were bred for a purpose, so there is less of an unknown.

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Terry F.
4 years ago

I've heard this for years, so not surprised by their findings.

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George H.
4 years ago

Not a surprise - genetic diversity makes any species stronger.

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Richard
4 years ago

I always thought mixed breeds were smarter

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Charleshjr
4 years ago

this has been said for years, I have dealt with both and I kinda agree with the mixed breed,

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Wanda & Veronica ;.
4 years ago

I have been with both & I think that they are all about the same. I think that it depends on how the animal is raised. I do think that a mixed in most cases are more suitable for families with fun loving kids. I personally don't care one way or another. I love them all.

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lisa k.
4 years ago

This is really neat! I never thought about that.

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Rhonda T.
4 years ago

I have heard of the health advantage of a mix breed, so it doesn't come as a surprise. If this fact was more well known, maybe we wouldn't have to have so many breeders of pure breds and more shelter mixes would be adopted out and even used by professionals.

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wanda f.
4 years ago

that's good news for our Taz & Sam

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Heather E.
4 years ago

I always knew that my babies were super smart!

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L.H.S.
4 years ago

Working with mixed breeds and full breed dogs every day, this does not surprise us in the least!

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Jessica T.
4 years ago

I have always understood that so called mutts make better dogs. I don't get why people are so dead set on having a pure-bred dog, so I help this story can ease the minds of those trying to decide between a mix or a pure. I would much rather spend $80 at a shelter saving a mutt than spending $3,000 at a breeder to get a pure-bred (sometimes in-bred) dog.

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Marty T.
4 years ago

I've had both. Again, it's about people making choices that suit their needs and enjoyment.

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Wendie
4 years ago

I can't see how this is ground breaking news. If you have a mutt dog that's made up of a bunch of historically intelligent breeds, it's probably going to be smarter than a purebred dog that's smart but not necessarily as smart across multiple subjects like mix of several breeds would be. If that makes any sense at all....

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Alicia D.
4 years ago

Very well said Wendie.

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Chitown
4 years ago

Bears out my observations and experience.

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Michaelyn
4 years ago

All my mixed breeds are pretty smart with my pure-breed very high strung.

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Michael
4 years ago

depends on the dog, not the breed.....

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Elizabeth R.
4 years ago

This is my point exactly! When I wrote my journal article about using shelter animals, I mentioned that the dogs could be used as service dogs. A mix has so much to offer, and can sometimes be better then a pure breed.

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DDRau
4 years ago

I'm not sure about this but if the mixed breeds get all the brains from the purebreds then maybe it's true.

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Michael
4 years ago

I have love for all dogs. Mutts or pure breds. In my experience, I'd have to dissagree. I think it's more of the individual dog. But, I'd have to say my one pure bred is exceptionally smarter than any mix I've ever had. The only one that came close was a Pitbull mix believe it or not..

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Keri W.
4 years ago

All depends on the individual dog.

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Diane
4 years ago

How cool is this.

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Amy R.
5 years ago

I love it! i have smart dogs!

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Alexis93
5 years ago

wow

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ILAnimalLawyer
5 years ago

I'm all for mutts, 200%, but isn't it illogical to say that purebred dogs have certain inherited characteristics (such as pit bulls being "vicious by nature" rather than irresponsible owners) as a general group and then try to say that mutts, by their nature each individuals breed-wise, are also generally smarter than the purebreds? Because if pits can/can't be generalized by breed, then neither can/can't mutts!

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Kimberly F.
4 years ago

Thank you, now I don't have to say all of this. I agree with you 200% also.

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Michelle H.
5 years ago

I thought this was known for years. I am glad that the study backs up this thought. Maybe more people will look to adopt.

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Loosey
5 years ago

Way to go mutts!!!!!

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Jumbo
5 years ago

No way!!!!!!!!! that its so interesting. K9 units should consider that

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Penguin
5 years ago

Interesting and possible but I think more testing should be done before saying this is a sure thing.

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M17
5 years ago

it does depend on the individual. some dogs are just smarter than others just like other species. hybrid vigor does usually win out for many survival characteristics.

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Superchar42
5 years ago

It's interesting that this study came out. I had a friend with dobermans, and though they're wonderful dogs, they're one of the stupidest dogs I've met (in a nice way though). My dog growing up was a Heinz 57, and a very smart dog. You could see it in his eyes. But not in the dobie's eyes. Big difference!

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Satana H.
5 years ago

I always knew my mutt was smart!

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Dsnyder
5 years ago

Would it not be possible for soom dogs, in general, to be smarter than other dogs. Are we so sure that all mix breeds are smarter--I don't think we should lump all dog into two categories

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D. Rene
5 years ago

Interesting story.

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Cwasson
5 years ago

Who cares how smart one is vs. the other - we love them all just the same.

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Sharon L.
5 years ago

Don't place labels on dogs - smart verses not so smart - we don't like it with our
children and I don't like it with our dogs.

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Ashton B.
5 years ago

interesting

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Jholt
5 years ago

Very interesting! Why are there so many left in shelters when they are truly great dogs!

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Patty B.
5 years ago

My dogs are both mix breeds and they are very intelligent. I think the word is conniving, especially when they want treats.

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KIX51
5 years ago

Yay!!! I agree with CarolaMc - adopt a shelter dog. My local shelter even has the saying that shelter pups are "one of a kind designer dogs." That's way better than the new ones being BRED into mutts to score a buck from the trend-loving public.

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Kate
5 years ago

I wonder if this will reverse the trend to breed for appearance and not intelligence, ability, etc? doubtful, I know....

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Carol M.
5 years ago

All the more reason to adopt a mixed-breed animal from a shelter.

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